Radiation oncologists on both sides of the Tasman want to encourage more cancer patients to have life-saving radiation treatment.
A campaign called Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer was being launched on Sunday to coincide with the 64th Annual meeting of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists in Auckland this weekend.
The campaign uses real-life stories from patients, doctors and radiation oncology specialists to raise awareness of the treatment.
The specialists say half of all cancer patients would benefit from radiation treatment but just a third of patients receive it.
Chris Atkinson, radiation oncologist at St George's Cancer Care Centre in Christchurch, says recent advances in the treatment have resulted in higher cure rates, fewer side effects and improved quality of life for patients with nearly all types and stages of cancer.
